How do I become a writer?

Answer 1

There's a whole world of advice out there, skip. But if you don't write in the first place then it is worthless. So that's the first step to becoming a writer. Writers write, y'know? But getting your writings read is something entirely different. They have to *appeal* to the reader, and that takes practice.

Anyway, read a variety of different genres. Read lots. Write lots. (You'll eventually find "your voice" - your own style of writing.) Read some more, write some more. Take notice of folk in the real world because you'll invariably have protagonists and antagonists in your writing (whether fictional or factual), and it helps if you can express a character beyond a two-dimensional cut-out. (Researching non-verbal communication, or body language, will help you here.)

Read some more, write some more. (Always keep a pen and notepad with you - write about anything and everything. It is all experience.)

Though don't try to get cocky by using words only 5% of your demographic will understand, but also take care to learn the kinds of words that your writings should encapsulate. Writing is about communication.

And *show* - don't *tell*. It's easy to say, "John walked into the newsagents." That's *telling*. *Show* us that John walked into the newsagents instead. Were his hands in his pockets? Was the door already open? Was there a boisterous collie tied up outside? (And was the dog's playful barking getting on John's nerves?)

But don't feel the need to write every last detail when writing fiction. Folk have imaginations, and they tend to fill in the blanks better than most writers can. Less is more, y'know? You're communicating, remember? Not recording.

And search the web for links to writing sites. There are also news groups in Google Groups dedicated to all types of writing.

Oh, and always make sure that what you've said is what you're trying to say. (That's often more difficult than it sounds.) And don't be afraid to dump an entire piece if it isn't working.

Lastly, get yourself on Yahoo! 360 or some other social networking site. This'll give you the opportunity to publish your works in one capacity at least.

Answer 2

Depends on what you want to write about. If you're already something like a historian or someone who needs to write about what they work with, be observant and professional, but also know what your intended audience's intelligence level is going to be. You don't want to go over their heads with big words, but you don't want to (indirectly) treat them like idiots by explaining every single little thing as if they don't know anything at all. Read books that are like what you want to write, and try to find books that are enjoyable. You can glean knowledge and style just by reading.

However, if you're writing fiction...that's a whole other bag of chips. Imagination is great, but you need to train it if you want to write anything good. Use it in new ways, exercise it every day (just not while you're supposed to be working, please). Look at things in a new light, especially if you're writing fantasy or science-fiction. Ask, "What if?" Think outside the box. Learn to describe things clearly and concisely. Check your spelling and grammar--don't switch between different tenses in the same section of writing. Those last two go for non-fiction, as well. The better you write, the more likely you'll have your work published. If you're really bad, I suggest a writing class. Perhaps Write@Home? (writeathome.com) Again, Read a lot, especially in the genre that you want to write in, since your style can and most likely will be affected by what you read.

Learn about people. Just because something SHOULD happen doesn't mean it WILL. Too many times, I've seen a character do something that looks completely stupid (for example, offering to tell the "bad guy" anything if he/she/it will spare the character, even thought we all know the bad guy will kill 'em anyway). One would think the character would do the smart thing, but humans aren't robots, and (most of us) aren't knights, so we can, and most often are, prone to doing stupid, cowardly, etc., things. Also remember, the protagonists don't always win (or sometimes they do, but at a great cost to their side).

Try to NOT do what the reader thinks you're going to do. The worst thing in the world is a book that you know the ending of before you even read it. That's why the Harry Potter books are still so popular.

Second worst are stories that break the rules. (ex. Someone being stabbed through the heart (or hearts) and not dying. Not even vampires can survive that. Robots, maybe, but nothing living, unless it only APPEARS that the person/creature was stabbed through the heart. Maybe it's an alien and its heart's not where it was struck. If you're going to have someone "come back to life" make sure it's actually possible. Another one--in a story where water and fire elements can be used, but not by the same person, someone who can weild both. When you set rules for your own story, they are just as applicable as real rules.) The only reason these stories are just second worst is because internet reviews always catch and criticize those points, so you know not to buy them.

Writing is HARD. It requires thinking and planning, not just imagination. You can't simply write different things in the same exact way. I ran into a book that used the word "said" every time it could have meant whispered, mumbled, drawled, screamed, yelled, stammered.... You get my point, don't you? It got to be really old, really fast.

I wish you luck with your career. Below is a link to a how-to for novelists, "Getting Published: A Tutorial for Novelists," which I found extremely informative. On that same page is a link to a second how-to, "Getting Published II: Getting a Literary Agent," also helpful. Those really have the minimum amount of information that you'll need, but they explain it all in an easy-to-understand fashion. If you can't view them because of your internet settings or bandwidth, however, try searching using the keywords in their titles.

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/29706132/

Also, "Common Errors in English." There's a book version, but these links are nearly as helpful, I'll wager. The first link is an explanation of common usage errors in the English language and how to avoid them, and the second is an alphabetical listing of these errors, along with examples of the correct usage of the words. Please note that some of the correct uses are no longer used in modern-day english, and that not everyone (in real life) has the best grammar (if you're writing a story, some of the characters ain't gotta speak good).

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/
http://wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html

Again, good luck!

Answer 3

you first need to have an idea of what you want to write about and whether it is fiction or non fiction, and the key thing to any writing is to do some research on the topic or story so it reads as more convincing. I would also recommend you writing a short story and give it to some friends who will give you some honest feedback - Good luck and remember that you have to be persistent and not take any knock backs personally

Answer 4

the only answer to that query could be to initiate WRITING. :) What evokes me is my own mind's eye...tale concepts that I create that i've got faith will make (or wish will make) memories which will entertain and activity, a minimum of, *some* people. Write approximately what you have an activity in. sturdy advice from one in each and every of my well known authors Mary Higgins Clark, is to place in writing interior the genres you opt to study! i like drama, supernatural, secret, secret, and suspense with some apocalyptic sci-fi besides. that's what I even tend to place in writing. i'm additionally a poet. What hobbies me concerning poetry is the international around me--human nature and behaviour. Corruption and integrity. sturdy and evil. Write out of your heart. Write out of your pastime. it incredibly is the terrific advice i provides you with.

Answer 5

Get yourself a pen and some paper and start writing

Answer 6

Start writeing immediately, And write every day. Also you must start reading. Read everything. And read every day.

That's the only way I guess..

Answer 7

Writing is easy, the knack is being read. Think about the reader.

Answer 8

get a pen, paper and write something!!! did you ask this question about a week ago beecause i gave this advice to someone lately

Answer 9

Get a pen. Get a piece of paper. Get inside your head. Get others there too...

Answer 10

1st of all you need to write something